Imam Muslim, may Allaah have mercy upon him, reported in his Saheeh with his Sanad (i.e. chain of transmission) that it was narrated from ‘Aamir ibn Waathilah that Naafi‘ ibn ‘Abd Al-Haarith met ‘Umar in ‘Usfaan, and ‘Umar had appointed him as governor of Makkah. ‘Umar said, “Who have you appointed in charge of the people of the valley?” He said, “Ibn Abza.” ‘Umar asked, “Who is Ibn Abza?” He said, “One of our freed slaves.” Umar said, “Have you appointed over them a freed slave?!” He said, “He is well-versed in the Book of Allaah and he is knowledgeable about the laws of inheritance.” ‘Umar said: “Your Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: ‘Indeed, by this Book, Allaah would exalt some people and degrade others.’”

The Verification of the Hadeeth:

It was reported by Imam Muslim, may Allaah have mercy upon him, in the book of the travelers’ prayer and shortening it, the chapter of explanation of the saying of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him (Envy is not justified but in case of two persons only…) and (‘Indeed, by this Book, Allaah would exalt some people…) (817), Ibn Maajah, Al-Muqadimah (218), Ahmad (1/35), Ibn Hibbaan; Al-Ihsaan (772), Ad-Daarimi (3368) and Abdur-Razzaaq in Al-Musanaf (30944).

Explanation of the Hadeeth:

In this honorable Hadeeth, there is another virtue of the Noble Quran which is raising the status and degree of its companions who memorized and understood it well and acted upon it. ‘Abd Al-Haarith met ‘Umar in ‘Usfaan (a place between Makkah and Medina), and ‘Umar had appointed him as governor of Makkah.

‘Umar, may Allaah be pleased with him, said, “Who have you appointed in charge of the people of the valley?” Referring to the people of Makkah. He said, “Ibn Abza.” Who is ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Abzi Al-Khuzaa‘i. he was one of the youngest latter group of the companions, may Allaah be pleased with them. He was a freed slave of Naafi‘ ibn Al-Haarith. During the time of ‘Umar, may Allaah be pleased with him, he was a mature man. He was appointed the governor of ‘Ali in Khurasaan.

‘Umar, may Allaah be pleased with him, asked, “Who is Ibn Abza?” He said, “One of our freed slaves.” Umar said, “Have you appointed over them a freed slave?!”  It is a question in the sense of denouncing. ‘Umar, may Allaah be pleased with him, was not denouncing appointing him over them, belittling or disdaining him. But he, may Allaah be pleased with him, denounced that the main purpose of appointing authority will not be fulfilled. That is because the purpose of appointing authority is to control the affairs of people and their policy. This actually requires that the leader should be a man whom they respect and has glory and honor in the hearts of lay people. Man in authority should be free, of good lineage, and prestige; otherwise, they will belittle and disobey him and thus the main purposes of authority will be fulfilled.

Naafi‘ said pointing out the reason of appointing him over them and that he is fully qualified to this position, “He is well-versed in the Book of Allaah and he is knowledgeable about the laws of inheritance.”  Moreover, he is very knowledgeable about judging among people. It was stated in the narration reported by An-Nasaa'i (A judge). This means that Allah, The Almighty, exalt this prince over other people. They all know this from him and thus they respect, regard him highly, obey his orders and in this way their affairs will be upright and their circumstances will be stable by appointing him a governor over them.   

‘Umar, may Allaah be pleased with him, said approving the action of Naafi‘ and that he appointed over them the one who is liable to be in this important position: Your Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: ‘Indeed, by this Book, Allaah would exalt some people...’” meaning raises the status and degree of some people due to believing in it, regarding it highly, acting upon it in this life by let them lead a good life as Allah, The Almighty, Says (what means): {Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer - We will surely cause him to live a good life...} [Quran 16: 97] 

With regard to the Hereafter:

Allah, The Almighty, Says (what means): {And whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger - those will be with the ones upon whom Allah has bestowed favor of the prophets, the steadfast affirmers of truth, the martyrs and the righteous. And excellent are those as companions.} [Quran 4: 69] 

As for the saying of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: "…and degrade others", this is for those who did not believe in it or believed in it without acting upon it as Allah, The Almighty, Says (what means):

•   {…He misleads many thereby and guides many thereby. And He misleads not except the defiantly disobedient.} [Quran 2: 26]

•   {And We send down of the Quran that which is healing and mercy for the believers, but it does not increase the wrongdoers except in loss.} [Quran 17: 82]

 Degrading some other people refers to degrading and dishonoring them in this life and Hereafter due to their turning away from it, not paying attention to it, neglecting its limits and their ignorance of what it implies.

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